The bad news is that a slow metabolism is not an excuse. If you’ve stayed away from weight loss because you are “cursed” with a slow metabolism, get over it. It’s time to get serious about managing your weight.
The good news is that, regardless of your metabolic rate, fast or slow, you can give it a boost with some fairly simple changes to your daily routine.
1. Step it Up a Notch
If you walk or jog for exercise, add higher intensity bursts in the midst of your regular route. Research shows that short intervals of increased activity will help you burn more calories than if you exercised at the same pace for a longer time. Walk at regular speed for 5 minutes, and walk faster (or, better yet, jog) for 30 seconds, then return to your regular pace. Repeat that at least three times per walk (five is better) and do the whole routine two or three times a week.
2. Get More Omega-3 Fatty Acids
They help keep your blood–sugar levels in check, and reduce inflammation, both of which can destabilize your metabolism and reduce the calories you burn. Salmon, herring and tuna are great sources of omega-3s. If you don’t like fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts and omega-3 fortified eggs are also good sources
3. Build Muscle
This doesn’t mean you need to start learning how to bench press. Even carrying small weights in each hand while you walk for exercise can help increase your muscle mass. And muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue
4. Yet Another Reason to Drink Green Tea
As if its antioxidant properties aren’t enough, green tea also contains catechin, which has been shown to increase your metabolism.
5. Get Your Calories
Yes. You read that correctly. Eliminating or significantly reducing how much you eat in hopes you will lose weight, due to reduced calories, will likely have the opposite effect. When your intake goes down, your body slows your metabolism to compensate, making it possible for you to actually gain weight on a calorie-reduced diet.
6. Rise. And Shine.
If you exercise, it’s best to do it in the morning. Your metabolism continues to run at a higher rate long after you finish your routine. Morning exercise means your metabolism will run higher through at least some of your daily meals, helping to burn off more calories.
Successful weight loss and healthy weight management are a sometimes tricky balancing act of caloric intake and burn. It’s important that you get the nutrition you need to stay healthy and energetic, while still managing to burn more than you consume. The nutritional consultants at Herbal One will help you have a healthy diet that’s designed specifically for you and your weight loss goals. Click here to visit our weight loss centres.